Display-case.



Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

M. A. WEBB.

DISPLAY CASE.

APPLICATION FILED mm. 24, 1912. 1,088,249.

WITNESSES:

sra'rs PATENT onnron MORRELL ALBERT WEBB, OF ALGONA, IOWA.

DISPLAY-CASE.

osaaaa To all whom it may com-em WEBB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Algona, in the county of Kossuth and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display-Cases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to display cases, and it more particularly relates to folding display cases.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved form of display case which may be quickly and easily folded into compact form, so that it may be easily and economically transported from place to place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding case of this character which is simple of construction, light, durable and convenient.

Another object is to provide a folding case of this character in which the sides, ends and top mutually contribute to support each other without depending upon auxiliary supporting elements.

Other objects and advantages will be recited hereinafter and in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved folding case. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view. Fig. 3 is an end elevation view, and, Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to these drawings, in which similar reference numerals correspond to similar parts throughout the several views, the base or bottom 5 of the case is formed with flanges 6 and 7 and with an end flange 8; these flanges standing vertically and forming the fixed portions of the side and end walls. To these fixed portions or flanges are hinged foldable side elements 9, 10 and 11 respectively, while a foldable element 12 is hinged to the base 5 on a lower plane than the hinge which connects the member 11 with the flange 8. The top consists of a compound frame; that is, an outer frame 13 and an inner frame 14 secured together; the outer frame being longer and wider than the inner frame and extending over the side and end elements 9, 10, 11 and 12, while the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 24, 1912.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914. Serial No. 738,487.

I inner frame is surrounded by the-upper Be 1t known that I, MORRELL, ALBERT edges of these side and end members and forms a seat or shoulder against which the movable sides and ends or wall members rest when the case is in unfolded position, while the side and end walls form a shield and support for the top of the casing.

I may provide the top of the case with one or more trap-doors l5, hinged to the upper or outer frame and seated on the lower or inner frame which extends farther inward than the outer frame, in a horizontal as well as in a Vertical direction, thereby forming a shelf entirely around each of the openings which the trap-doors close. The top of the case is hinged at 16 at a point adjacent to the top edge of the foldable side wall 10, the hinge connection being engaged with the lower or inner frame member 14, as shown in Fig. 3. In the present embodiment of my invention, in which two doors 15 are employed, I provide a strut or bridge 17 for the purpose of adding greater strength and rigidity to the top and for perfectly supporting the trap-doors 15.

I may provide the ends, sides and front with panels of glass, sheet metal, wood, composition, or netting of any desired kind or grade, but in the present embodiment of the invention I have provided wire screens, as illustrated at 18, so that the wares which are displayed in the case may be ventilated as well as protected.

In folding the case I proceed as follows: First, I raise the front edge of the cover 13, and in doing so, I cause the side wall 10 to bend outwardly, so that the ends 11 and 12 are released from their engagement with the frame 14, whereupon said ends may be swung inward and downward so that the end 12 lies flat upon the bottom 5, while the end 11 lies flat upon the end 12. The side wall 9 is next swung inward and downward, so as to extend over the folded end walls. Next, the top is lowered and folded flat against the side wall 10, whereupon the latter is moved inward and downward, so that said top is inverted and extends over the folded side wall 9, and the side wall 10 extends over the inverted and folded top.

From the foregoing it will be seen that all of the elements of the case are folded snugly and compactly together, into a compact prismatic body; thereby not only minimizing the expense and inconvenience of transportation, but also minimizing the danger of injury in transportation.

It will be seen that When the case is in open or unfolded condition, as well as when folded, every element contributes to the support of each other element. In other words, all of the elements mutually combine and contribute to'the support and efficiency of the entire structure.

It will be seen that I have provided a device of this character which is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects, and in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claim. Y

I claim:

A folding case providing a base, side flanges thereon, the front flange being higher than the back, an end flange there on, side Walls hinged at their inner lower edges to said side flanges, and end Walls hinged, one to said end flange and one to said base, said end walls abutting at their ends against the inner faces of said side Walls, but not secured thereto, the edges and faces of said side and end walls being plane and intersecting at right angles, and a cover comprising a frame resting on the top edges of said side and end walls, the inner edges 0 side walls, said second frame being hinged to that Wall.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MORRELL ALBERT WEBB.

Witnesses:

l/V. B. QUARTON, M. M. HULsE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). C. 

